Thursdays Thirteen.....

So Beth initiated the Thursday Thirteen this week...so we're listing thirteen things we'd like to do before we die...here goes...

1. Worship in Nairobi with my friends--Eda, Albo, Jan and Tim

2. Go on a cruise with Marlon--somewhere warm and sunny

3. Become a conference speaker

4. Visit Australia

5. Get a degree in biblical studies

6. Go on a family trip to Washington D.C.

7. Have a full day at the spa

8. Climb a mountain in Africa

9. Run a foster group home for teen moms

10. Of course, see all of my children grow into adulthood and make a life for themselves

11. Have a whole weekend to scrapbook---no interruptions and no where else to go

12. See the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve and then give my hubby a BIG smacker! :)

13. Write a book.

Wow----looking at that list....I'd better get going!!!!
Love to you all!!

Boys, Boys, Boys...

The following is a conversation that occurred in the car yesterday when I picked up the boys from school. Jordyn just sat in the front seat with me shaking her head. Poor girl...

Isaiah: We had our human growth/health class today.
Elijah: Oh---you learned about bodies.
Me: Were you embarrassed at all?
Isaiah: No.
Izzy: Why would you be embarrassed...what is that?
Isaiah: You know, we learned about boys and girls, puberty, that kinda stuff.
Elijah: Like what?
Isaiah: Well, like the man has sperm and semen (now pronounced with a soft e just so you know...lol) and the woman has an egg...
Elijah: What? We came from an egg?
Izzy: Yeah-you hatched...lol...
Isaiah: No, not that kind of egg...like, I don't know...a different egg-in her tube.
Izzy: What?
Isaiah: Anyway--his private part goes with her private part and then the sperm and egg come together and sometimes God makes it a baby.
Me: It is confusing sometimes to know what everything is and what everything means. It's important to remember that sex is for when you are married and can share it with your spouse.

(At this point, Jordyn turns to me and rolls her eyes.)

Isaiah: (he's on a roll now) We also learned about puberty.
Me: What did they tell you about that.
Isaiah: Well, we are gonna get lower voices, and taller, bigger muscles (at which point all three boys start to flex)
Elijah: ...and moustaches, right?
Isaiah: Yeah...facial hair, body hair, body odor...gotta use deodorant,....OH! and our private part is gonna get bigger too!
Elijah: Holy crap!!

At this point Jordyn and I burst into laughter and tears. The boys laugh too because if you just could have heard Elijah's voice it was hysterical.

Izzy: Wow. (as he looks down!)

Jordyn: Mother, why did you have three boys.

I can't wait for puberty and those teen years. I am sure my stories will become more frequent and much more hilarious!

I am enjoying my day. I cleaned the entire top level. All three bedrooms and bathroom and hall. Baseboards, dusting, cobwebs, bedding, shampooed the carpets....it felt so good just to get it all done. Last thing is the bathroom floor and then I am done! (and it's only 2pm) Tomorrow I'll concentrate on the main floor and Marlon and I are going to clean out the office. Yay! That definately needs it.

Alright, back to the house. Peace out.

7 Favorite Songs...

Alright so Michelle, my blogger friend...has tagged me to list my 7 favorite all-time songs. With my eclectic taste in music this could be interesting...

In no particular order (because that is just asking wayyyy too much...lol):

1. The Presence of the Lord by Byron Cage .....I loveeeeee this song and can't help but jam everytime the ladies in prison and I jam to it!

2. Still Not a Playa..so sacreligious...I am sorry, but really...I hear that song and I am right back in the club dancing my heart out
"no more runnin with an entourage, less it's Pun and the Terror Squad,
Borequa, moreno, borequa, moreno...."
You know you wanna dance right now!

3. America....from West Side Story. Just about one of the best musicals of all time.

4. C'mon Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners

5. Jane Says by Janes Addiction. What can I say, I told you I was an ecclectic music listener!

6. Total Praise....by Richard Smallwood. Life changing.

7. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. My favorite Karaoke song of all time.

Now I wanna get up and dance! Thanks Michelle!!

I tag Beth, Amy and even Brandon. I may even have to post this to my myspace and tag everyone there!!!

G'Nite

Go on now go
Walk out the door
Just turn around now
Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with good-bye
Did you think I'd crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die?

Ok, ok....I'm going :)

Sonshine

We see Him...the Son...all around us
And we ignore Him
He cries out for our help
He begs us for our love

We walk away.

A teen who is pregnant
A man hooked on porn
A kid seeing addiction
A woman who is scorned

Disease and despair
Pain and heartache

Needing our love
Feeling alone

Yet the son shines on
Giving off light
He continues to guide us
Sets all our wrongs right

Will we ever learn
to turn our face to the son
Acknowledge His goodness
And know he's the one?

I pray that I will
stay close to His light
Allowing myself to be led
by faith not by sight

Spring

So even though spring seems to finally be peeking it's head around the corner...I was tired of the green, springy template and felt the need to change it up.

Today at work there is not a lot to do. Well, there is always the normal day to day stuff...but I am caught up on camp stuff so I may actually try to get out of here a little early and enjoy this weather. I love spring! The smell is fresh and crisp...the sun feels so good on your face...there is always a cool breeze...just makes me feel alive, hopeful, full of anticipation!!

So there's alot planned this weekend. Tonight Izzy has his first friend sleep over. His friend Jalen is having a party and he invited Izzy. Jordyn is staying at her aunt's and the rest of us will probably just hang out. Sat. I have to pick Izzy up in the morning, bridal shower in the afternoon and then going to Pop's house where I'll meet up with Marlon, the boys and Collin. Jordyn is staying with her aunt all day and night to work/waitress a house party. Then Sunday is church (Jubilee Sun. so no sunday school..woohooo) and we were planning on attending my good friends dedication for their little peanut, Owen...but I just found out that we can't miss the meeting for Biloxi (we had just planned on missing it) because there are some kinks in the plans and the whole team needs to be there to discuss what options we have. :( I am so bummed because I was really looking forward to spending a little time with everyone. Then at 1, I have another bridal shower(two cousins getting married this spring) and then Marlon and I have a prison again Sunday night. Seeing it written down...it's like WHOA...but I'll just have to take each moment in stride and only focus on what's in front of me.

I am really excited for next Friday and my Beijo party!! Don't forget to come--it'll be so much fun. I don't get to have girly time very much--between Marlon and the boys and Jordyn who thinks I'm nuts for trying to make her girly...lol...I appreciate that time!

Get outside today. Take a deep breath. Look up and smile. No matter what your circumstance, what issues you are dealing with, what inconveniences you are being put through----God's got you. He knows yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is faithful and just and sees the whole picture. You can trust that He will never decieve or forsake you. He will never abandon or mistreat you. On those days when you are grumpy and mad at the world for no real reason...He's even there then. On those days when you HAVE reasons to be mad at the world...He's STILL there. Don't lose sight of that.

Arrrghhh!

Blogger is driving me batty! I want to post the picture of my familia from Christmas Eve and it won't let me :(

Life here has been good. Busy---what else is new and still sick---what else is new!

Marlon and I had a little spat today. It was so sweet because he called me a little later and apologized and said that it had nothing to do with me and was all only his stress that he was taking out on me and he was sorry he had done that. Then when I got home he had done the laundry and make dinner. (so he makes dinner most evenings because he's home before me...but Wed. is usually my night because of Isaiah's soccer clinic) It was just so nice to come home after teen MOPS and know that I didn't have ANY laundry to do. That also means that tomorrow night I can veg out a little bit and not feel so overwhelmed in the evening.

I really cherish my husband. Do we always get along? Hardly. We irk the heck out of each other sometimes...lol. While we have many of the same ideas about life, ministry, moral issues...there is also a lot we differ on. We parent differently, handle conflict differently, etc. I think the first years of our marriage we focused so much on what wasn't the same. We allowed our differences to be really BIG and overshadow the fundamental ways that we were the same. Our idealogy is the same. Fundamentally we view life the same. Those are big things.

How long you allow your kids to use the computer or play station in a week....how many chores your kids are expected to do...those are little things. I mean seriously, in the scheme of life...they are little things.

Just cause I'm feeling so lovey dovey...here are some of his greatest qualities:

Loyal---this is THE most loyal person I know
Patient
Forgiving
Honest
Devoted to God
Decisive
Friendly
Generous
Mild mannered
Steady
Loving
Truly desires to see me happy

There are many more...

I think my Benadryl is kicking in because I am suddenly getting verrrrrrrrrrrrry sleepy...lol.

Now off to snuggle with my honey!! Nite

Weekend of Italian dinners!!

This weekend was so much fun---Friday was Collin's party. Very yummy spaghetti, Apples to Apples (which Beth was very much winning when we quit for cake...lol) and just hanging out chatting. Then Collin came with us because we had to be at church at 8:40am for the Upward celebration. The speaker/entertainment was Dan Wetzel. He did a very cool show of tricks, drills, involving the audience and a salvation message. Afterwards we went to Golden Corral for lunch. I now see that when the boys are teenagers we will only go to buffets because Collin ate and ate and ate and ate and ate...lol. He kept saying, "well, I'm gettin' my money's worth!" Our boys have big appetites now so I can just imagine at 17!!

Then we came home and I took a nap! That felt so good. At 5 we went to my sister's for dinner and my parents anniversay. 35 years! My brother in law's lasagna was really good and we played the Wii (sp?) I love the boxing game. I knocked Marlon out!!!! Wooohoooo---girls rule, boys drool!!! Just kidding hon! Then we took Collin home and I hung out with my Grandma and Aunt for about an hour chatting. I also am super excited because the family picture I was talking about at Christmas....I finally got a copy!! (got one for you and Connie too momma!)

Today is church and then prison. Hopefully I'll catch a nap on the way up as I am pooped! My cough is back strong again so I guess I should head back to the dr. We'll see. We'll have to have ponzas or mosticciolli or something to keep with our Italian dinner theme this weekend! :)

Anyway--off to start my day. Hope yours is wonderful.

Thursdays Thirteen

Ok--I am really typing this Friday, but it you checked my blog since yesterday you know that I posted an empty entry. Wasn't time last night to do the Thursday Thirteen, but knew that I would want to...so :)

Here goes. My 13 favorite smells:

1) I love the smell of of dryer sheets when I'm doing laundry. Sometimes I will take one and just sniff away!

2) I love the smell of metal. It sounds odd, but it reminds me of when I was a little girl and my dad would come home from his factory job---it's what he smelled like.

3) I love the smell of Marlon's homemade chicken noodle soup. So yummy!

4) I love the smell of my hair product manipulator. It smells so good you could eat it!

5) Marlon's neck after he's put on his cologne. It makes me just want to snuggle and put my head there snuggling.

6) I love the smell of my just showered children!! It makes me happy to smell their soap/shampoo/lotion.

7) I agree with Beth---a clean house (especially with a breeze blowing through) wow-I love that smell. I think it's partly so psychological because I feel such accomplishment when my house is clean.

8) Lilacs--we had a lilac tree next to our house growing up and I love that smell.

9) My Grandma's house on Christmas Eve. We make mexican food and oh my goodness it smells so amazing!

10) Ben-gay. I know I'm odd. But I really love how it smells for some weird reason...lol.

11) Fresh fruit. Melons and citrus mostly. They have such strong scents and make me think of summer and warm weather.

12) Johnson's baby lotion. I don't have to smell a baby for it either. It's the lotion Marlon uses.

13) I love the smell of coffee. I don't drink it (well just some fun cappicuino drinks from Starbucks) but straight black coffee---I love that smell too. It makes me feel awake and energized just smelling it.

Well...that's it. Maybe next week we can do our least favorite smells or something...lol.

Hope your day is better Amy!! I enjoyed talking to you last night and am always here for you.

Have a wonderful evening everyone!!

American Idol**********spoiler***************

Oh my goodness---I can't believe that Brandon went home!!
Granted, with all of the amazing female vocalists this year I don't think he would have won, but even with forgetting his words he was hardly the worse. I wonder if that fact that he didn't have a lot of likability played into it?
I love watching Diana Ross perform. She is a diva extraordinaire!! The hair, the boa, the gown, the heels, the grandious arm movements...the ultimate superstar...lol. Even if her voice might not be what it was--she connects so much with the audience. I always like this part of the season when they have to come ready with the difference genres.

With all of the heavy things I've been feeling and thinking about in the last week, I just needed a mindless post...lol.

Amazing Racers anyone? (not the Breakaway one Beth...lol) The show on TV----oh my goodness---Rob and Amber!!! I so wanted them to win just because I love their competitive spirit and the way they were ALWAYS playing the game, always thinking of their next move. They certainly made some big mistakes in the game though.

Alright--Jordyn's home from youth group now so I can go to bed. Nite all!!

More from Breakaway...

It's so funny how when God has taught me something he then gives me opportunity to use it. Another thing we learned at Breakaway was 5 secrets for Living a Joy Filled Life (I touched briefly on that in my other post) One of the secrets is to sing. It really is so true. Yesterday was a hard day for me. My Grandma has decided to sell her house. There is a lot of redevelopment desired on our street. There's a man who has bought and tore down several houses on our street, but there were a few hold outs because the city has said there is no plan to rezone our side of the street. My Grandma, however, is feeling the pressure to move and I think emotionally has been separating from her house and plans of dying there. (she has lived there 37 or 38 years and has always talked about staying there until it's her time to go)
There are many emotional ties to that house. My Grandpa died there...my Great Grandpa lived out the last years of his life there with she and my Aunt caring for him....over the year various family members have stayed there when they had no place to go. My Aunt Linda has lived with her for the past 31 years and raised her children there. So anyway, for her own personal reasons--both emotional and financial she has decided to sell-even though there is a part of her that isn't sure it's what she should do. Of course there will be many different opinions in my family (after all there are 25 grandkids, 10 kids and spouses, and 22 great grandkids) She and I talk often because I go next door just about every night to give her her insulin shot. I told her that no matter what she chose--there were going to be some that didn't agree with her. She had to pray (talk with my Aunt Linda because that is who she plans to move with) and then make a decision that is best for them. But she has tears in her eyes when she talks about leaving. I have tears in my eyes when I think that she won't be my neighbor anymore---will our family holidays be the same---how will this impact the many emotional scars that were kept hidden in that house---will she really be able to handle leaving? Will my Aunt be able to find a place that is affordable and has room for her two kids still at home and my Grandma? They have until Sept. to live rent free--but then they have to be out. I pray that everyone-no matter what their opinion of the situation-will be able to support and help her.

So, back to how what I learned at Breakaway impacted that. The just-yesterday I was down. Normally I sing a lot. Sometimes I don't even realize that I am doing it until someone makes a comment when I am NOT singing. Yesterday was a day that several people asked me, "No song today?" "What's wrong-you're not singing?" "Uh-oh--no singing today" I would just smile because I really didn't feel in my heart like I wanted to sing. Then last night at Tuesday Nite Live I had to lead worship for about 50 women. I prayed before going up that God would touch my heart and that I would worship him with full abandon of my soul. As I started the first song, I could tell it was just me singing the words and not the spirit moving in me. (I know this might sound bizarre, but it is true that I can tell the difference and I can audibly hear a difference as well) By the chorus:

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name!

I was filled with joy. I could feel the smile on my face without having to put it there. I could hear my voice change as it was no longer me trying to hit right notes but Him through me wanting to express His glory through song to others around me. The rest of the night my heart was peaceful, my spirit was joy-filled...when I kissed my Grandma good-night and hugged her just a little tighter than normal I could feel a calm. There is no need to stress--He is in control.

So sing. It sounds silly, it's not. You will feel your heart change and a smile take over as true JOY fills you.

Spring has sprung!

Well...as much as it can in Wisconsin when chances are it's going to rain or snow by the end of the week...lol. But I don't care if it only lasts one more day---the sun is truly glorious!

Isn't it amazing how the sun can affect our dispositions? I know that when I feel the warmth of it's rays on my face it is so easy to smile. When a nice breeze hits you it's easy to let out a sigh of contentment. It's too bad that we can't keep the sun out in our hearts always. Maybe then our circumstances and the environment around us wouldn't dictate our attitudes so much.

It's easy to be pleasant, kind and courteous on a warm, sunny day when things are going well and all of your ducks are in a row. Not quite so when it's a mucky, rainy day and you got a flat-nobody stopped to help-and you forgot to send a lunch to school for your kids (um..yes, I have had that day...lol) But why do we let ourselves get caught up in our circumstances.

The speaker this weekend, Glenna Salsbury, talked about joy and how it does not come from us--but is of the Lord. I have heard this before and been taught this before...but for some reason this weekend it really resonated with me. Have you ever had that happen? You hear something for the upteenth time (just how many is upteenth time?) and suddenly it hits you.

Anyway--she gave us 3 little two-word phrases to help us in those times when something or someone is trying to steal our joy. Glenna encouraged us to only be concerned with that which is honoring to Christ. She suggested telling a friend so that they could help you out in rough times or even writing them as a note to yourself and posting them up somewhere.

They were:

**Oh, Well!** Example: Someone has just cut you off to get a prime parking spot that you waited patiently for. Instead of getting heated, shrug it off and say, "Oh, well!" In the scope of life really is it that important? "Oh, well...I'll just find another parking spot."

**Don't Engage!** Example: A person who you often butt heads with makes a snide comment and then smirks to see your response OR a child pushes your buttons for the millionth time that day just to see the steam come out of your ears. Instead of retorting that smart alleck comment or getting in your verbal jab, DON'T ENGAGE! Smile, nod, walk away, take a deep breath. DO NOT ENGAGE! Engaging often makes you look foolish, engaging often gets your goat and revs you up, engaging often takes your focus off of what it should be on.

**Who Cares!** Example: While on a field trip with your child, it seems like the other moms don't like you--they are ignoring you, whisper as you walk by and roll their eyes when you speak. Instead of worrying what you did or if they have a reason not to like you, take a deep breath and say, "Who Cares!" If these ladies don't like you--really--who cares? Does your worth revolve around what a random few think of you? Smile and rise above.

Since we came in second place, my sister and I got a basket full of DVDs, books, CDs, and candy. I am so excited to read Glenna's book The Art of the Fresh Start.

Mmmmmmmmm....Marlon is grilling tonight and it smells wonderful. He actually grilled steaks on Sun and burgers last night...it's ribs and chicken breast tonight. I love that smell! Isaiah just left for conditioning and the other boys and I will be heading out for Tuesday Nite Live . Tonight Women 2Day will have some large group time and a wonderful speaker that I always enjoy hearing is talking so I am excited. It will be a long night (Tuesdays just always are) but I know it will be great.

More tomorrow...

Remember
Oh, Well!!
Don't Engage!!
Who Cares!!

Weekend Musings...

Well...it's 9:40ish on Monday and I am still so tired I could fall out right here on the keyboard, but I've been wanting to post about Breakaway since last night so I thought I'd just get on here and get to it :)

What an amazing weekend. Truly spirit-led, fun, refreshing, tiring, everything I needed it to be. God is so gracious to me. Friday we left about 1ish and headed down to the Grand Geneva. My mom, sister-Connie, Aunt Darlene and good friend Sue. We always go early so that we can get situated before the chaos of the 1000 other women arrive. After some initial mix-up with a room assignment that wasn't handicapped (we need this for my aunt) we were taken care of and in our room by 3:30ish so that was wonderful. The staff was pleasant, kind and courteous and very apologetic for not having an appropriate room set up for us. We settled in and had a light dinner in a hotel restaurant before heading down to the Forum for the evening's main session. It was fun and exciting too because of the Amazing Race being revealed this weekend. (you may remember that in Jan. my sister and I participated in a Breakaway Amazing Race that I had to keep secret until this past weekend)
There was just way too much that happened for me to ever put it all down in a blog. Just try and come anytime you can. Every March Breakaway is held. You can start registering usually in Dec. Your life will be changed. Period.

So the weekend got me thinking (as it normally does) about life, living out my faith, evangelizing, judgement...when I stray from His path is when everything goes wrong. We saw a drama about the Bema Seat (judgement seat) and what it might be like when Jesus returns and we have that judgement. Most Christians I know don't even know what that is. I certainly didn't until a few years ago.
A somewhat easy to understand definition is:
the Bema Seat is described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
Debate might vary on whether or not this occur as each person dies or upon the return of Christ. I chose not to dwell on either in regards to timing and just the simple fact that it's coming. It doesn't mean that all of your sins will pass before your eyes and God will shame you for what you did on earth. Be aware, scripture is clear that we will have to give an account to God for our lives and what we did on earth. Haven't you heard that to whom much is given much is expected? Or that each of us will give an account of himself to God. I desire so much to stand before him and have dozens of crowns to lay at His feet. While living eternally in His presence will certainly be beyond compare...how much more glorious to stand before Him and know that mighty work was done in His name and for the kingdom.

Our motives are so key in what we do. If I give to my church, but want everyone to know what and when I give...want to put restrictions on how it is used...let it go with a clenched fist...then I do not recieve reward for those impure motives. If I spend time in the word, but do it so that others give me compliments about quoting scripture or am franctically searching for a verse to "zap" somebody---that is nothing to be proud of. My own agenda might not be seen by others, and I can maybe even mask or hide it from myself...but the Creator of All, the Alpha & Omega, the beginning and end most certainly knows my heart and he sees what I stand or don't stand for.

The last thing I want to talk about are somethings that I felt convicted about over the weekend. I feel I can speak clearly on this because for so many years of my life I lived in lies. It was so much easier NOT facing difficult things, addressing issues, walking away from friends, than to live in truth. It is so easy for people to sit on high horses and point fingers at others never bothering to point the finger back at themselves. Hardly any problem, argument or issue is only one person's fault. Here are some things in my very short 35 years that I have learned as a wife, mother, sister, friend, parent, disciple of Christ:
EVERYBODY DOES NOT HAVE TO LIKE YOU. Do not live by the standards of others or this world, but His truth convicted in your soul and Christ's commands for you.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Get over it and let it go. Take a deep breath, seek counsel from more mature Christians if needed, but don't let the "beliefs" of others sway you from God's will. If it smells like Satan, acts like Satan, and sneaks up like Satan....it's likely Satan. Remember that serpent in the garden looked harmless to Eve too.

ALWAYS SEEK GOD'S WILL. If you need to, each morning start with a prayer asking God to reveal to you what he'd like you to do for the day. Wait on His answer before acting. Don't rush around in life always worrying about having better, looking better, acting better....ALWAYS SEEK GOD'S WILL...

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSTITIVTY. Some people are "glass is half empty" kind of people, other's are "glass is half full" people. I love and have both in my life. They can both be grounded in Christ, so please don't take this next statement to mean that "glass is half empty" people can't be good Christians. I am not saying that. I am saying this: Encouragement is key, hope is key, knowing someone believes in you is key, consistently looking toward the heavens...these are things that "glass is half empty" people normally struggle with those things for themself====so how could they encourage me?

Alright all, heading off to bed and snuggle with my honey. Sue just wasn't as cuddly as Marlon!!!

Ha, ha!!

Thursday Thirteen

Alright, so my friend does these fun Thursday Thirteens from time to time so I feel inspired to as well!

These are thirteen things that you might not have known about me:

1. I am afraid of the dark. (extremely fearful--irrationally so.)

2. I enjoy horror movies but can't watch them alone.

3. At one time I owned 100 pairs of shoes. I know--sickness...lol.

4. When I saw ET at the drive-in, I cried the entire way home.

5. I secretly wish I could be a stay-at-home mom. (well, not so secretly anymore)

6. I was in National Honor Society and graduated 40th in my class of over 400

7. I went to Chicago my freshman year of college on a partial Musical Theatre scholarship and wanted to be a Broadway star.

8. I do not believe in capital punishment.

9. I never had a honeymoon.

10. Marlon and I met booty dancing at a club :) (ok-so Amy knew that one!)

11. If I could do it without anyone else there ogling me---I'd still booty dance at a club...lol (there's nothin' like a good "Tootsie Roll"!!)

12. I like cemetaries

13. I have only mowed the lawn two times in my entire life.

Amy-u were right. That is fun!!

My Poem

Tired and worn
Feeling under the weather
I am fighting each day
To stay witty and clever

My job is demanding
Of my patience and time
Keeping creative and fresh
Without losing my mind

Then home is chaotic
How could it not be?
With a hubby, 4 kids
And a dog named Chloe'?

There's laundry and dishes
I must vaccuum and dust
Clean up the bathroom
And then I must trust

That while I'm gone for the weekend
Having my "girlie" Breakaway,
That the men will maintain it and
Keep it tidy, I pray!!

John 13:5-17

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

So as I said in my previous blog, on Sat. at the retreat Amy, Dana and Sara washed our feet. Now even to Christians this may just sound odd. Like something you hear about people doing, but have never really known anyone who has done it or been part of it. There was nothing odd about it. What servant hearts they have. Some of us had the same reactions as Simon Peter...once it became clear what was about to happen...I saw several women kind of shake their head, as if not wanting Sara, Amy or Dana to feel obligated to do such a thing. But as it started and they moved around the circle from one to another to powerful message and imagery almost knocked me off of my chair. Although they might be the ones "in charge" they lead us in such a humble way that it never seems that way. The way that they appreciate each volunteer and create such unity between us all--even those of us who can't come every week--it's simply nothing less than how Christ calls us to live.
The important thing about Christ washing his disciples feet is not that he wanted them to have clean feet. Think of your feet after a day outside in sandals. Imagine even a living room of women, many of who had not yet showered for the day...in warm pink sock slippers...and then three sweet, wonderful women dropping to their knees to pray over these feet, take off the slippers and pour water over their feet, dry them and put the slippers back on. Not one denying them this privelege (even tho I am sure in a group that size there were people with feet issues!), not one squirming at having their feet touched, not one servant looking at the feet with disdain. Not one moment of ackwardness. It could be yucky. I am sure it was for Jesus. And having clean feet is not even what he did it for. It's not why Sara, Amy and Dana did either.
To serve humbly, to love fully, to give freely. There is no great gift that a leader can give to his followers. Jesus, who was King and the Son of God, lovingly washed the feet of his followers to show them a divine way of leading and loving mankind. He encourages them to wash each other's feet and to alway keep in mind that they are not above anyone they lead. If only leaders in all areas made this part of their "leadership" style--what a differene it would make.

I am so thankful to be a part of Teen MOPS. It is much like prison ministry in the sense that many outsiders comment on what a sacrifice I make to "give" to these girls/inmates. It is I that recieve the gift from them. There is not a way to describe it. I was talking to my friend (one of the teens) tonight. We talk about 2 or 3 times a week, sometimes just a 5 minute chat. When I hung up I thought about how honored I was to be at her son's birth, how special our friendship has become that she would share with me that she is pregnant again-even before she has told family. Are there times I am tired and don't feel like "dealing" with ministry. Oh my goodness yes. But there are many more when I am fully aware that it is my calling to do what God would have me and not a choice at all. I think it's why whittling away ministries that I'm not called to be a part of is so important. I love people and I love helping...so really any ministry could be fun for me. But I have an obligation to use discernment and wisdom in making choices for myself and where I invest my time. I can't do everything and when I try then many things suffer. Teen MOPS and prison are definately the two areas that I know I am called to do. Being away from Teen MOPS and only being able to go about once a month showed me that. I need the girls as much as they might need me.

Well, time to go and have some dinner. My stomach has finally calmed down and food sound good to me right now. Pray that this illness just finally leaves me so I can be back at 100%!!
Nite!!

Retreat

The past few days have been crazy busy...but what stands out and what was the most refreshing was the leaders retreat I went on with Teen MOPS. Wow. As I left Friday for the lakehouse, this is what it looked like. I actually thought about calling and cancelling, but the thought of a fun "slumber party" with women who I think are so amazing very much outweighed the fear of driving in this yuck! Getting off of the highway was VERY scary because there were no street lights and the wind was blowing so bad that I couldn't really see where the road even was. As I approached the driveway, I saw that there were several other cars all pulled off to the side. Getting out, I saw that they were all other leaders unable to get through a mound of snow that had blown up and was blocking the driveway. Sara and Amy shoveled out a path for us and we all pulled in.

We laughed because it was obvious we all needed a girls night to rejuvenate because if it was any other "obligation" we certainly wouldn't have braved the roads to come out alone!! A yummy dinner of salad, bread and several types of soup waited for us. The house was amazing, we played a fun game (which I won...woohoo!) and then settled in the living room for some teaching. They had brought out an amazing speaker/teacher from Elmbrook who I have heard before at Breakaway and who I led worship with during Discovery Days. Her words were so poignant and meaningful to us. Her encouragement and love so needed. You could feel the sigh of contentment fill the room. As desserts were prepared and the gifts for Dana's shower (a total suprise part of the weekend) brought out, Racheal got in her van to leave as she wasn't staying over. She had to back out of the whole driveway, easily close to a 1/4 mile. Some of us went to help her get started and then 2 stayed to walk behind her with flashlights--guiding her to the end so the rest of us went back in the house. After quite awhile had passed and they still had not returned, Kristin and I went out to check on them. Here they had gotten to the end, but she could not get out onto the street, the snow--the ice--she was just spinning. We dug deep pushed that van right out onto the road. Then as it spun it's wheels some more--we pushed it again onto a safer area...lol. It is funny now thinking of us out there in the blizzard, pushing that big ole van to safety. After circling to pray over Racheal and her drive home, we headed back to the house. Much dessert and presents later...it was jammies time. The thing to know about this beautiful, amazing house (which the family has a 2nd home and opens to missionaries, retreats, church groups, etc) is that it has a large loft on the 3rd floor. We all headed upstairs to play some games. Have you ever played Apples to Apples? It was such fun. I've heard of it, but never knew what it was or how to play. So much fun---it was hysterical. Mine were very easy to start to tell because I always played crazy off the wall matches...lol.




It was so cool that with our whole big group of 14 EVERY person played both games (Taboo was the other) Sometimes with a group of women that large, somebody doesn't want to participate. Such fun to laugh together, share stories, just bond in a way other than Teen MOPS and yet brought together because of it. After game time a few of us stayed awake to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding. A few of the women had not yet seen it so it was fun. After a very restless night ( smoke detector battery decided to die on the night we were all there and kept us up for about an hour while we figured out a way to reach it and disassemble it.) we rose to the smell of fresh coffee and a scrumptious treat I have never had before-monkey bread! Complete with fresh fruit and coffee it was the perfect way to start the day.



The day ended with a bible study, a silly game where we wrote a song about Teen MOPS (our team TOTALLY won :) ....although the other team's song was sweet too), sharing time, worship and then Sara, Amy and Dana praying over each of us while they washed our feet. There is no way to describe it. Jesus was there. You could feel him and there was hardly a dry eye. It was such a simply, yet powerful act of service. These are women who truly love the Lord and desire to follow after His calling. I will blog more about the washing of the feet==when I am rested and focused and can articulate my thoughts better.


Sat. was a busy day, but every thing just seemed easier to handle, smoother because of the peace in my heart.



Going to take a nap. I feel very yucky today :( Isaiah's team is in the 'ship at 4:40, so we have to leave soon so he can get his ankle wrapped and meet the team. I couldn't even make it to church this morning. My head is pounding and I have this yucky sense of nausea that I hope will not lead to full fledged stomach flu. We'll see.